Washington, DC – SEARAC is proud to present the Rising Up fact sheet series, a five-part set of briefs expanding on its newly launched Rising Up: The Southeast Asian American Educational Journey report.
This fact sheet series is accompanied by a parallel five-part webinar series. SEARAC is kicking off the series with two back-to-back releases focusing on Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) and student experiences.
Providing analysis on pressing issues impacting Southeast Asian American (SEAA) students today, each installment highlights key data, community context, and actionable solutions for policymakers, advocates, and educators.
Fact sheet #1. Rising Up: Protect AANAPISIs
This fact sheet focuses on AANAPISIs, which play a critical role in improving college access and success for SEAA students.
Despite their proven effectiveness, AANAPISIs and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) face serious threats, including recent federal funding cuts and challenges to their legal standing—putting essential student support systems at risk.
Key Findings
- SEAA communities continue to have significantly lower college attainment rates than the national average.
- AANAPISIs enroll over 40% of all Asian American and Pacific Islander undergraduates despite representing only 6% of institutions.
- Students attending AANAPISIs experience stronger outcomes, including higher earnings after graduation.
- Federal funding currently reaches only a fraction of eligible institutions, limiting their ability to serve students effectively.
Fact sheet #2. Rising Up: Southeast Asian American Student Voices
This forthcoming factsheet centers the lived experiences of SEAA students, highlighting how they navigate educational systems that often render them invisible.
Key Findings
- Students are inspired by their families’ strength and resilience coming to the United States in the aftermath of the Vietnam War.
- The ‘model minority’ myth is harmful and hides real challenges.
- Better, more detailed data is needed to understand diverse communities.
- Many students feel alone or invisible and want spaces where they feel they belong.
You’re invited: Sign up for our companion webinars
To further discuss the fact sheets’ findings and policy implications, SEARAC will host back-to-back webinars in its five-part series:
What: Rising Up Webinar Series: Protect AANAPISIs
When: April 28, 2026 | 1:30–2 pm ET
Zoom link: bit.ly/RisingUpPt1
What: Rising Up Webinar Series: Southeast Asian American Student Voices
When: April 29, 2026 | 3:30–4 pm ET
Zoom link: bit.ly/RisingUpPt2
This webinar series will continue in the coming weeks, with each session accompanying a new fact sheet release exploring additional themes from the Rising Up report.
